Wall St. Journal article

I appreciate the comments. The www.turnmeup.org site is a great idea and resource Cleaneduphippy. The links listed were very interesting, particularly the Rolling Stone article from last year. This problem is significantly larger than I was aware. To the other responders, I was not questioning the quality of the new Metallica album as much as the recording technique. The compressed music is probably great for your convertible or in a bar, but not in the comfort of my home. The new software programs that can correct pitch and rhythm sometimes make recordings sound too homogenous. Keith Moon and John Bonham's distinctive styles were part of the successful formula for Zeppelin and the Who-- mistakes and all. Wouldn't it be great if Lars could have crescendos in a song and build to a climactic ending like they used to.

Maxnewid

I wish I could hear the disc at home but I do not have speakers at the moment.

I was listening to this on my iPod at work today through my Grado SR60 headphones. it sounded OK for the most part, but since this post, I started paying attention to the sonics of this disc. Anyway, on "Judas Kiss", I noticed the bass was very distorted, kick drums were too. It almost was too loud that I had to turn it down. I looked at the EQ setting on the iPod and confirmed it was set to "off". I couldn't believe it! I listened again and same thing. I guess I did not notice this before when listening to it in the car. Through the Grados though, it was apparent. Not on all songs but on some of them you do hear this distortion. it almost sounds like the iPod was overdriving the 'phones. but it is not. I know it for a fact.

I have been a Metallica fan for more than 20 years now. They never produced an "audiophile" recording. And that is OK. They do not cater to this crowd. St. Anger really was a mess music and sound wise. This album is better.

The only Metallica song that sounded real good tghrough my system and the one that actually had some audiophile attributes(sound stage, imaging, detail) was the "Outlaw Thorn" from the "Load" cd. I really can't name any other Metallica song that would qualify for a high-end system playback. I still enjoy Metallica for what it is. but mostly in the car or through the iPod.

Listen to the last 30 seconds of "The day that never comes". I think it's great music, one of their best, but quality is just so bad. There is a version floating around the internet, taken from the Guitar Hero video game that sounds way better than the cd.

I listened today and whilst I took a while to adjust (I've not been listening to my main system very much)and it is compressed.Also as stated above Magic by Springsteen is the same, there is no real dynamics and everything is very central.
The contrast when I put on the last Ryan Adam's CD was very clear.In comparison there is very clear seperation and space with a much wider soundstage.
Needless to say neither Springsteen nor Metallica are very relaxing to listen to.
Shame as the music on the new Metallica sounds promising and Magic is a good record

Finally heard a song off the new Metallica album today. In a word the production was TERRIBLE. As I listened I instantly knew exactly what people were referring to when they said it was too loud. If the volume was up enough to get it to the appropriate level, it was annoying. Turn it down and it just kind of faded away. Painful.

I noticed the drums had the same problem as on their St Anger album. That snare drum with the constant beat. Just annoying. I was sitting there asking myself how the drummer Lars could be such a crap drummer. After all he's the drummer for *Metallica*. Go figure.

The bass was barely audible and the guitar was part and parcel of that annoying over loudness. Shame was it sounded like it could be a good song much like their old stuff especially the guitar; the old songwriting was back. But unlistenable. I can see why people are complaining about this boosted up turkey.